Waits Does a Guest Turn With Saxophonist Edwards

The guest appearance of singer-songwriter Tom Waits on veteran Los Angeles jazz saxophonist Teddy Edwards’ new album, “Mississippi Lad,” is a rarity in the music world.

Pop stars often invite jazz players to perform on their albums as a way of bringing a dash of musical color to the works. Among recent examples: Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” which features saxophonist Pete Christlieb and trumpeter Conte Candoli, and Rickie Lee Jones’ “Pop Pop,” whose cast includes bassists Charlie Haden and John Leftwich.

But Waits is one of the few major pop artists in years to grace a mainstream jazz collection.

Friendship, as well as musical affinity, prompted Waits to collaborate with Edwards, whom he first met when the now 67-year-old tenorman joined Waits’ band in a 1982 appearance at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Later, they both worked on the film “One From the Heart” and Edwards toured Europe and the South Pacific with Waits.

“Teddy has great command, great sensitivity and a tremendous amount of dynamic range,” said Waits in his famed gravelly voice by phone from his Northern California home. “And I don’t know that Teddy’s ever gotten the kind of recognition he’s due for the contribution he’s made to music.”

Edwards, who is touring Europe, said in a separate interview that he wanted Waits to sing two of Waits’ own tunes, but the latter insisted on recording songs by the saxophonist.

Waits said he was particularly eager to sing “Little Man,” which is about a father talking to his son. “I’ve loved that song since I first heard it, and now that I’ve got a couple of kids, it took on new meaning,” Waits said.

“Mississippi Lad” is Edwards’ first album since 1982, and his first on a major label. In addition to Waits, the collection features pianist Art Hillery, who, like Edwards hails from Jackson, Miss., trumpeter Nolan Smith and trombonist Jimmy Cleveland. The invigorating, appealing set ranges from the funky “Safari Walk” to the Latinesque “Blue Sombrero.”

Response has been very positive, said Edwards. “I’m doing a press conference in France next week,” he said, almost not believing it. “It’s like they’ve discovered the lost star of be-bop.”

Critic’s Choice: Pianist Roger Kellaway is one of the most enigmatic, unpredictable pianists in jazz. He can play be-bop or stride, he can be adventurous, he can be sweet. He’s rarely dull. The New York resident, who for some years made his home in Los Angeles, works unaccompanied tonight at the Jazz Bakery in Culver City, which means that without bass and drums to tie him down, he’ll be free to bound off in a flash in whatever direction delights him.